'C * 




o 
o 



^ * * S 



Class .L.sAf^../:J?-!^.K:: 

Book _..._... J>^-^. 



Author 



Title 



Imprint 



» Ji 




1^: 



'OST OF HONOR, 



A MILITARY DRAMA 



In Four y^crs, 



■GETHER WITH CAST OP CHARACTERS, DESCRIPTION 
OF COSTUMES, SCENERY, SITUATIONS, AND 
STAGE BUSINESS. 



IBy SIXDHSTE!-^ &^A^lSrTD:H}FL&. 



RETURSr THIS BOOK TO THE PROMPTKK. 



!* 



SPKINGFIELD, MASS. : 

CLAKK W. BRYAK & COMPAXY, 1>KIXTKR8. 
1872. 




i 

i. 



Qr. J^. K. 

f 

THE POST OF HONOR, 

% gHtfarg grama in faur %i\^, 



WRITTEN EXPRESSLY FOR PRODUCTION BY G. A. R, POSTS, DEDI- 
CATED TO THAT ORGANIZATION, 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1872, 

By SIDNEY SANDERS, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. 



^>,;.v. ^^ P-^l^i* publicly performing ... any dramatic composition, for 
wh ch copynght lias been obtained, without the consent of the proprietor, . ' 
S-! ?^J'*^i% '''■ ^^'"^S^^^ ... in all cases ... not less than $100 for the 
hm, and $50 tor every subsequent performance."-^.r<r«c« U. S, Copyright Law, 

[Actof July 8, 1872.] 



I 



SPRINGFIELD, MASS.: 

CLARK W. BRYAN AND COMPANY, PRINTERS, 

1872. 



b 



CAST OF CHARACTERS." 



->1^ 

^ 



UNION. 

Miss Louise Vtning Leadinff Lady. 

Mrs. SAMUEti WiNTHROP Heavj' Womau. 

" Polly Pickle Ecceutric Old Woman. 

Mr. Samuel Winthuop Old Man. 

Col. John Vining, (afterwards Gen.) 1st Heavy. 

Adjt. Gordon Pelham Responsible. 

Sergt. Scott Martinet Eccentric. 

Private George Winthrop Leading. 

" BiM Pickle Ist Low Comedy. 

" Milky White , Utility. 

CONFEDERATES. 

Col. Davis DeForrest, (afterwards Gen.) 2d Heavy. 

Maj. Hartley Gilmore Responsible. 

Sergt. KiRBY Shabrock Utility. 

Corp. Braxton Culpepper Respousiblcj 

Private Jeff. Greyback 2d Low Comedy". 

Floyd Pullet , Utility. 

Officers, Soldiers, Citizens, &c. 



COSTUMES. 

Louise Vining. Act 1— Scene 1. Neat morning dress. Scene 3. Black walk- 
ing suit, hat and feather. Act 4 — Scene 5. White dress, with red and blue shoul- 
der-sash. 

Mrs. SAMUEL WiNTHROP, quiet walking suit. 

Mrs. Polly Pickle, ye antique walking suit, coal-scuttle bonnet, loud shawl, 
dress skirt of two breadths. 

Mr. Samuel Winthrop, dark suit, silk hat. 

Military characters, " infantry regulation," according to their several ranks. 



PERIOD— 1864:-5. 



Scene. Acts 1 and 4— At home, North. Acts 2 and 3— In the field near Peters- 
burg. 



PROPERTIES. 

Watch, letter and laurel wreath for Louise; umbrella for Polly; cane for Samuel' 
"Winthrop; paper package for Pickle; bottle for Pullet; rope and pig for Culpep-* 
per; cheese-knife for George; pack of cards for Greyback; large envelope for Coi 
Vining; " order" for DeForrest; swords--., belts, pistols, muskets, ammunition and 
colors for military characters, Itab'e, (4 chairs, 3 camp-stools. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 
Actor supposed to he on stage, facing audience. ') 

EXITS AND ENTRANCES. '' 

R, means right ; L, left ; C, centre at back ; D, door ; F, "flat " ; C from L, centre 
from left ; C to R., centre to right ; 1 E, 1st entrance ; 2 E, 2d entrance ; U E, iippcr 
entrance, 

RELATIVE POSITIONS ON STAGE. 

R, means right ,- L, left ; C, centre ; R C, right of centre ; L C, left of centre. 



a THE POST OF HONOR. 

i? 

ACT I. 

Scene 1. A drawing room, 3 g. in Col. Vining's mother's house; 
folding doors, c. r. ; table l. c. ; chair r. of table ; another, r. c, 
and two at back l. ; a stand of American colors at back r. ; orna- 
ments and letter on table, seated r. of which is discovered Louise 
ViNiNG consulting watch. 

Lou. It is late for George ; I wonder what keeps him ? I wonder 
more Avhat brings him, that he should think it necessary to send a let- 
ter? Hark! footsteps! the mystery will soon be solved (^rising and 
turning k.). 

Enter Col. Vining, c. from l. 

What, you, John? 

Col. V. (coming clown r.) Yes, me. Have I taken you by sur- 
prise? 

Lou. Indeed you have, by coming sooner than I expected ; be care- 
ful the rebels do not take you in the same way. 

Col. V. No fear of that. Three years have made me wary of an 
enemy in the field, tho' I was hardly prepared for an attack at home. 

Lou. What do you mean ? 

Col. V. The colors which you were to present to my regiment this 
afternoon were, last night, mutilated and destroyed. 

Lou. You astonish me ! Is the affair known ? 

Col. V. Only to Captain Darrell and ourselves. But how am I to 
avert both exposure and disgrace ? 

Lou. By remaining quiet till time reveals tlie guilty party. Mean- 
while, yonder stand {pointing to stand at back), which my hands had 
wrought to celebrate the downfall of the rebellion, shall take the place 
of those destroyed. 

Col. V. And teach me how to value a sister's love and fidelity. 

Lou. Say, rather, how a sister would aid a brother's loyalty and 
patriotism. Is it settled? 

Col. V. It is, and easier than I had thought possible ; but when I 
know the villain, let him beware. 

Lou. Do not give yourself another moment's trouble about tlie 
matter at present. Have you seen mother? 

Col. V. I confess, in my haste and anxiety, I forgot. How is she 
to-day ? 

Ljou. Much as usual ; but you know she never leaves her room. 

Col. V. (going up c.) Let us go to her. 

IjOu. Excuse me ; I am expecting company. 

Col. V. (returning). At this time of day ! May I ask whom? 

Ijou. Mr. George Winthrop. I 

Col. V. George Winthrop coming here ? 1 ^T hey sit. 

IjOU. Certainly; is there any objection? | 

Col. V. His father is of doubtful loyalty. 

Lou. He contributes to the " Soldier's -Aid " freely. 



Col. V. To cloak his purposes, perhaps ; but George's character is 
by no means enviable. 

Loii. They had hardly corae among us when you went to the war. 
You do not know George ; you have had no opportunity. 

Col. V. And I wish the same were true of you. 

Lou. What has he done ? 

Col. V. Nothing— openly. 

Lou. And, I am sure, nothing secretly. 

Col. V. That is not so certain. I dislike harsh names; but he is 
either a hypocritical sneak or something Avorse. 

Lou. O, brother, you wrong him most grossly. Ill success may 
have made him silent and dejected — whom would it not? but his 
soul is every thing true and brave. 

Col. V. Then why is he not in the service ? 

Lou. I sometimes think we are the cause. 

Col. V. We? How we? 

Lou. When you are in the field mother and I are left alone. 

Col. V. I see ; and he assumes the role of protector ; don't let me 
find him here. 

Lou. Why not? 

Col. V. I might forget myself; he rests under the gravest suspi- 
cion. 

Lou. Who maligns him now, Capt. Darrell? 

Col. V. (rising and going u]p). No one maligns him. Pardon me, 
I am forgetting mother. 

Lou. {rising and turning). Stay! Under what suspicion does he 
rest ? 

Col. V. (in door way). Louise, you love this fellow. I can see it, 
and I would spare you pain, but circumstances point strongly to George 
Winthrop as the man who destroyed my colors. 

lExit Col. V. c. to R. 

Lou. George Winthrop ? Preposterous ! I will not credit the 
calumny ! And yet there is something strange, something wrong, else 
why should he write? And whence this suspicion, if without founda- 
tion? Is it possible that George Winthrop is a secret traitor, and his 
father another, who gives liberally, the better to conceal his real char- 
acter? I cannot tell; and George will be here presently. How shall 
I receive him ? What shall I say to him ? My brother spoke of cir- 
cumstances, but named none. I will go to him. (Turns, sees George 
and sinks into chair k. of table.) Heaven help me, it is too late. 

Enter Geokge and come down r. from c. 

Geo. Pardon my unceremonious intrusion, Louise, but I was in 
haste ; the doors were open, and I walked in. 

Lou. You did right, George. 

Geo. You received my note ? 

Lou. I did. 

Geo. And have been kept waiting; but you will forgive me when 
you know all, I trust. 

Lou. I trust I may. 

Geo. " Trust you may ? " Why, what is the matter, Louise? You 
do not rise. You do not seem glad to see me. Have I offended you? 

Lou. (rising and offering hand). Excuse my not rising. You 
have not offended me./ Please be seated. 

[They sit. Lou. i,. Geo. n. 

Geo. But there is Something wrong. What is it? 



Lou. Nothing very serious, I hope ; I was lost in reflection. 

Geo. I am sorry to have disturbed you, and should not have done 
so had I not something important to say to you. 

Lou. Tome? Speak on. 

Geo. Your manner almost forbids me. But I may never have 
another opportunity, for I must quit these scenes at once, and perhaps 
forever. 

Lou. {aside). What John says, then, is true, and he flees to escape 
detection. 

Geo. But I cannot go till I have made a frank confession of what 
you, perhaps, already know. 

Lou. Then why confess it? 

Geo. Because I would not have you misunderstand me. 

Lou. Do you think it likely ? 

Geo. I cannot say. You remember the first time we met. I was 
weary of life and its struggles. I had left home and business, deter- 
mined never to renew the mockery ; I was contemplating the very 
death from which heaven sent me to save you, and in saving you, to 
save myself. Your spirit l)roke upon me like a revelation. Till then 
I did not believe myself capable of so holy an affection ; but I had 
found my ideal, and henceforth life had an object. I returned to my 
books, resolved to be worthy of you, but not to speak till I had made 
for myself a place in the world. I have not succeeded. I cannot 
linger here, and I must speak. I cannot offer you wealth or honor or 
station ; but I can otfer you a heart, long guided by your heavenly 
light, whose chiefest wish is your happiness. O, Louise, you are my 
life ; in my very soul of souls, I love you. 

Lou. {rising and turning l.) O, George, I cannot, must not listen 
to this. 

Geo. One moment. I know I am not worthy of you. My best 
thoughts are poor, my motives mean, my aspirations low and groveling 
compared with tlie ])urity that invests you. But you can raise me ; 
you can teach me. You have taught me how noble and sublime a 
thing it is to prefer anotlier to self; and oh, if that be love, I have 
loved you from the first. Can you, do you not love me? 

Lou. Had you but spoken sooner- 

Geo. I thought silence best. 

Ijou. Or found your place among those who are fighting for our 
country, I could have been happy. 

Geo. And why not now? 

Lou. Because there is a dread suspicion 

Geo. Of what? 

Ljou. That you are — alas ! I know not what. Leave me ; leave me. 

Geo. Rejected? 

Lou. Do not compel me to say it, but go. 

Geo. And without explanation ? 

Lou. Explanation should come from you. Leave me. 

Geo. And you, you, Louise, say this ? You whom I thought the 
soul of honor ; whose sincerity I never doubted, and whose heart I 
believed my own. You dismiss me without cause, without provoca- 
tion, without a word or a regret. 

Lou. You torture me. Will you go? 

Enter Col. Vining, who stands at hack c. from r. 

Geo. I go. And may you never know the pain I feel at this sepa- 
ration. 



Lou. O, sir, you make me unspeakably wretched. 

Col. V. {advancing r.) Go, sir, unless you would have me use 
force. 

Lou. (jcrossing r.) 0, brother, no violence. 

Geo. Do not be alarmed, Miss Vining, I know the respect due the 
presence of a lady. 

Col. V. And I know the treatment due a coward and a villain. 

Geo. Col. Vining, you will live to regret tliose words. 

Col. V. I shall regret they are but words till you have your deserts. 
Leave. 

Col. V. points to the door, back. Geo. retires up. Lou. advances and 
leans on Col.'s arm. 

Geo. O, my country, long neglected and for naught; to her I devote 
my life, and she, at least, will not despise the offering. 

Picture, and closed in by 



Scene 2.— A road in one g. Enter Sergt. Martinet and squad of 8 
men, including Pickle, at " double quick" l. 1 e. 

Hip, hip, hip, &c., file left, march, file left, march,— hip, hip, hip, 
«S:c., file right, march, file right, march,— hip, hip, hip, &c. Halt! 

Pick. I say, " Serge," give us a rest. 

Sergt. M. Silence, sir, or I'll give you '■'■arrest'" in the guard- 
house. Front! {Placing himself k. of line.) Right, dress ! Eyes 
right, thus— (illustrating) . 

Pick. But why is tliis thus ? 

Sergt. M. Silence, sir. Because it is military. Now, right dress. 
[They dress. '\ Front! (Stepping forward and facing j..) Order, 
arms ! (Reaching to Pick.) Let me take your piece. 

Pick. No you don't, you can't play that twice. 

Sergt. M. Play, sir, is not military. What do you mean? 

Pick. You told me never to give up my piece to an officer. 

Sergt. M. Never, when you are on guard. 

Pick. I'm on my guard now. 

Sergt. M. Silence, sir. Yoii nre on drill. Give me your piece. 
(Pickle passes it '■'■but'" np.) And now I'll show you, for the nine- 
teenth time, the position of a soldier; head erect, eyes front, shoulders 
square, chest out, stomach in, hands down, and feet braced. Observe 
me. * 

Pick, (looking up a.nd doum). I don't see anything green. 

Sergt. M. (returning Pick's piece). Silence, sir, or you'll see some- 
thing black and blue. Attention, now, every man. Come to the posi- 
tion of a soldier. (All obey except Pickle, who reverses every fcatm^e.) 
What's the matter with you ? Why don't you obey orders ? 

Pick. 'Cause I can't do twenty things to once — eyes out, head 
square, shoulders round, chest caved in, back up, and feet over the 
fence ! I tell you, serge, it's impossible. 

Sergt. 31. Silence, sir, impossil)le is not military ; a soldier's first 
duty is to obey orders, no matter Avhat. 

Pick. 'Spose Grant told you to take Petersburg? 

Sergt. M. I should go for it ; if I got killed it would be his fault, 
none of my business. Attention, now, every man. Come to the posi- 
tion of a soldier ! IT hey obey, Pickle rather awkwardly. 

Pick. How's this for a " posish " ? 



Sergt. M. Good, very good; you begin to have quite a soldierly 
bearing. Stomach in, a bit {touching Pick's stomach). 
Pick, (receding). I'd rather have a bit in my stomach. 
Sergt. M. Silence, sir, you need a bit in your mouth. (Aside.) I 
shall have to gag tliat man to stop liis noise. Attention, now. Shoul- 
der, arms ! Rigbt, face. Forward, march ! (They march -r.) " Buts 
back." [All sing. 

Kepp yoin'])nt:S back — hntsback — bnts back. 
Keeeeoeep, your huts, back, sbarp ! 

\^Exeunt Omnes, r. 1 e. 

Enter Mr. and Mrs. Wintiirop l. 1 e. Winthrop has cane. 

Mrs. W. Aren't you mistaken, Mr. Winthrop? 

Win. Indeed I am not mistaken ; you are his mother, and can't see 
his failures. 

Mrs. W. What do you consider his special failure ? 

Win. He has no " special " failure ; he's a failure all round, and in 
every thing. He never succeeded in any tiling, and never will. 

Mrs. W. What think you is the difficulty ? 

Win. Oh, his head is turned witli love and other strange notions. 
He is too honest ; that is the difficulty. If the conductor missed him 
in a rail-car he would pay voluntarily ! Can such a man succeed? 

Mrs. W. Perhaps not ; but I see nothing in it very bad. 

Win. Bad? No, don't say that ! On the other hand it is confounded 
honorable, and I admire the scamp for it; but it aint success. And 
the question now is, what shall he do ? 

Mrs. W. Wliat can he do ? In his situation what should you do ? 

Win. {going -R.) Why, aren't we going to see a regiment off? I 
should make one of the sohliers. 

Mrs. W. (following r.) Do you mean to say you would have George 
go to the war ? 

Win. NoAV don't alarm yourself, my dear ; don't alarm yourself. I 
mean to say there isn't- the slightest danger he'll go. 

Mrs. W. I don't know ; he" might. At all events, I have changed 
my mind. 

Win. A woman's "right." 

Mrs. W. And would ratlier go back than to see the troops march. 

Win. Just as you please ; but your fears are all imaginary. He go 
to the war? He has not got the courage— the pluck. 

[ They turn to go l. 

Enter George l. 1 e. 

Geo. I shall never forgive myself. 

Mr. and Mrs. Win. (seeing him). George! 

Mrs. W. And in uniform. 

Geo* Yes, I have just been home to bid you " good-by." 

Mrs. W. Why, Avhere are you going? 

Geo. Where I should have gone years ago — to the front. 

Win. Zounds ! boy, have you lost your wits ? 

Geo. On the contrary, father, I have found them. 

Mrs. W. And you would leave us ! O, George, this is terrible ; it 
is so sudden. How can I let you go ? 

Geo. As other mothers let their sons go. 

Mrs. W. But they have more than one, and you are all that is left 
to me ; going where I shall never see you again, to be killed. 

Geo. (crossing r.) We march at five. Let us hasten, and think 



rather that I shall return glorified with victory, or if I fall, that hon- 
orable death is better than ignoble life. Come. 

[Uxeunt omnes r. 1 e., and change to 



Scene 3. A field, full depth of stage, a fence in 3 g. Discovered the 
Regiment cdigned in front of fence. Officers r., citizens l. Louise 
with colors, down r. Soldiers with pieces at ^''shoulder." 

Col. V. Tresent, a7-ms. \^T hey salute, Louise acknowledges salute' 

Col. V. (low and quick). Shoulder, arms ; order, arms ; parade, rest. 

[ These orders are executed. 

Lou. Brothers and soldiers of the Republic : You are about to go 
forth to battle for our beloved country. Since armies organized and 
fought, they have ever had some beacon around which to rally in the 
deadly fray. Rome looked to her "Eagles," France to her "Lilies," 
England to her " Red-cross." We boast a nobler standard than they 
all — the banner of Liberty, unfurled by Washington and consecrated 
in the tears and blood of the Revolution. 

To me has fallen the honor of presenting you this proud ensign. I 
grieve that the necessity should be upon us, but we cannot choose : an 
impious rebellion threatens to divide our Union and destroy our nation. 
The first shot at Sumter was the signal-sound of the "irrepressible 
conflict;" traitors sought to disgrace the "old flag." Untold thou- 
sands rushed to glory in its defence. Campaigns have come and gone. 
We have had sad reverses, they have taught us patience ; we have had 
splendid victories, they have given us liope. Vicksburg and Gettys- 
burg, Winchester and the Wihlerness are blazoned in the sky, but the 
work is not accomplished. Grant's batteries are pounding at Peters- 
burg, and Sherman's invincible cohorts come down to the sea; the 
enemy girds himself for a last desperate effort; we must not be found 
wanting. Many of our best men have fallen ; you go to fill their 
places ; your mission is holy. Some of your brothers are pining in 
prison, liberate them ! others have perished, avenge them ! your 
homes are threatened, defend them ! traitors work treason, subdue 
them ! bondmen cry for deliverance, break every chain ! Your respon- 
sibility is great and your glory will be undying. The poorest private, 
dropping from the line of duty into an unknown grave, is as much a 
hero as the General who cheers the charge ; and wlien the bugle calls 
to the last grand review, his name will shine as brightly on the mus- 
ter-rolls of "the Captain of our salvation"; for you will be watched 
over and guided by the " Lord of Hosts," who is not only mighty in 
battle, but who, in his infinite tenderness, noteth even the fall of a 
sparrow. 

Woman may not fight with you, but she will pray for you ; and when 
the hour of conflict, the hour that will baptize your souls in fire, shall 
come, put your trust in God ; remember that you are Americans, sol- 
diers in the grand army of liberty and humanity ; let your onset be like 
the whirlwind, and your victory like the archangel's. 

The struggle has been long and doubtful ; some have fainted by the 
Avayside; kneel with me (all kneel on left knee). Kneel, and swear to 
high Heaven that so long as an armed traitor lifts his hand against his 
country, you will not faint or falter. 

Omnes. We swear. 

Lou. You have taken the oath ; arise and go forth, conquering 
and to conquer ; and when you return from the field, war-worn and 
weary, the brightest honor and the deepest reverence my heart can 



give, await the soldier who most bravely defends the sacred standard 

which I now present you. 

Omnes. Hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! 

[Louise passes colors to Col. V., who passes them, to the Color- Sergeant. 
Col. V. (low and quick). Pront rank, right, — rear rank, left, face. 

Forward, front rank by file left, file left, rear rank by file right, file 

right, March. 

[They march slowly off i.. 3 e., and return l. u. e. behind fence, sing- 
ing from the start, 

Tes, we'll rally round the Flag, boys, we'll rally once again, 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom; ' 
"We will rally from the hill-side, we'll gather from the plain. 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom i 
Chorus. — The Union for ever 1 hurrah I boys, hurrah ! 
Down with the Traitor, up with the 8tar I 
While we rally round the Flag, boys, rally once again, 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 

Wc are springing to the call of our brothers gone before, 

• Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 
And we'll fill the vacant ranks with a million Freemen more, 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom I 
Chorus.— T'h.Q Union forever ! &c. 

So, we're springing to the call from the East and from the West. 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 
And we'll hurl the Kebel crew from the land we love the best, 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 
C7«or?<s.— The Union forever ! &c. 

As Geo., who is last man in rear rank, passes Lou., she recognizes 
him, and advances. 
Lou. Good-by. God bless you. 

DROP. 



ACT II. 

Scene 1. On the outpost, m 4 g. ; Col. Vining's Qu'rs, at hack c. ; 
sentinel on duty ; men grouped up e. ; eight, including Pickle and 
White, dancing c. ; Musician, l. 

Prompter. First four forward and back ; cross over; ladies' chain ; 
balance corners ; swing partners ; ladies' grand chain ; half right and 
left to place; side couples, do.; ladies, forward and back; gents, for- 
ward and back; all hands round; all promenade — to seats. 

[Genfs seat ladies on ground. Pickle and White, front. 

Pick. Thank you, Miss White. 

Milky. You're welcome, Mr. Pickle; did you enjoy the set? 

Pick, {sitting). Of course, you are such a nice partner, but I enjoy 
this " set" more. 

Milky. Why, I thought you never tired of tripping the " light fan- 
tastic." 

Pick. Do you call my '' gunboats " the " light bombastic ? " 

Milky. Not exactly ; but don't you like a " square dance " ? 

Pick. Not so well as I like a square meal. " Squaddrilles " are 
well 'nough 'casionally, but I'm gittin' sick o' drills, I want a "march." 

Milky. J don't want any march, I want to go home. 

Pick. And lose all the fun? 

Milky. I can't see where the fun comes in. 
2 



10 

Pick. It comes in at the death. 
Milky. I don't go in for any death. 

Pick. You will when the rebs go for you. \^Drurii heard outside.'^ 
Hallo ! tattoo ! It's all right, Milky, I'll go you halves in my quar- 
ters ! Come, boys, on taps 'fore '• taps " are on us. [^Tattoo increases. 

\_Exeunt Omnes r. 2 and 3 es. 
[ Tattoo ceases. 

Enter Col. Yining and Sergt. Martinet from set lent c. at hack. 

Sergt. M. (r.) And he thinks they mean mischief. 

Col. V. (l.) I should really like to know their programme. 

Sergt. M. Why not send a scout? 

Col. V. 1 have none of the proper coTirage and sagacity. 

Sergt. M. The picket himself is your man; shrewd, faithful and 
fearless. 

Col. V. Would he go, voluntarily ? 

Sergt. M. Without a doubt. 

Col. V. Send him to me directly; but no hint of what is wanted. 

Sergt. M. {saluting). 1 will see your orders executed. 

[Exit Sergt. M. r. 2 e. 

Col. V. (solus). If the rebels contemplate a movement, we ought 
to know and anticipate it; at all events, accurate knowledge of the 
enemy's condition is always valuable. 

Enter G-EOJiGB r. 2 e., saluting. 

Well, sir, what brings you here ? 

Geo. Your orders through Sergt. Martinet. 

Col. V. Are you the man who reports the rebel pickets suspi- 
ciously friendly ? 

Geo. I am. 

Col. V. Had I known that, I should not have sent for you, towards 
whom I am not without suspicion. 

Geo. Col. Vining, I never heed insinuations. When you make a 
definite charge, I trust I shall know how to defend myself; meantime, 
we have no right to let personal matters interfere w^ith the service. 

Col. V. In that last you are right. I want a man for an important 
and hazardous undertaking. If I trust you, what guarantee have I for 
your fidelity? 

Geo. A soldier's guarantee of life and honor. 

Col. V. And you would peril life in defence of honor? 

Geo. That is but a soldier's duty. 

Col. V. Have you the courage to face death ? 

Geo. Try me and see. 

Col. V. I will. I wish to know definitely what is going on among 
the rebels opposite. Can you penetrate their lines, and bring me the 
information ? 

Geo. Let the efibrt prote. 

Col. V. You know the penalty, if detected ? 

Geo. I do, perfectly. 

Col. V. When will you set forth ? 

Geo. To-night; as soon as I have made the necessary preparations. 

Col. V. You will want the countersign. {Col. V. whispers — Geo. 
whispers hack.) Correct; I give you no instructions except to learn 
every thing of the enemy, disclose nothing of ourselves, and report as 
early as possible. I must attend to duties ; so, for the present, adieu ! 

[ They salute. 
[Exit Col. V. into tent. 



11 

Geo. (solus.) At last, then, at last, I have the opportunity to vindi- 
cate myself. Vindicate? From what?- They talk of suspicions, but 
explain nothing ; I am conscious of no wrong unless it may have been 
my delay to enter the service, and for that. Heaven pardon me. I 
could not tear myself from the shrine till I had made offering of my 
heart; and then to find it rejected ! Oh, such a fall! from the heights 
of happiness to the depths of despair ! 

But danger courts, I will at once away, 
Aud keep my heart-wounds for another day. 

[Fxit George^ r. 2 e. 
Brum heard outside. 
Sergt. 31. (outside). "Taps!" lights out. 

Stage is darkened ; men outside sing, 

I gaze on the moon, as I trace the drear wild, 
And feel that my parent now thinks of her child; 
She looks on that moon from our own cottage door, 
Through woodbines whose fragrance shall cheer me no more. 
Home, home, sweet, sweet home, &c. 

Singing over, as sentinel goes r., Pullet steals on l. u. e., crouches l. 
of tent, and as sentinel again goes r. thrusts pistol in sentinel's 
face and hacking him off. 
Pul. Not a word. 

Enter Maj. Gilmore and two other rehs, l. u. e. 3faj. and another 
go inside of tent ; after some noise they bring out Col. V. and a 
stand of colors ; also Col.'s hat and coat ; all hut Col. V. have pis- 
tols ; he has apparently just waked up, and is indignant. 

What is the meaning of this ? I'll have you all arrested. 

Quiet ; I want you. 
Do you know who I am ? 

Do you know who /am ? 
Who are you ? 

Did you ever here of Major Gilmore ? 
What! Have you got that scoundrel? 

No, but that scoundrel has got you ; so put on your togs 

Colonel dresses, starts, turns ; they present pistols ; he goes l. again, 
and all are closed hi hy 



Scene 2. — A valley in 1 g. ; pickets in wings ; Pickle r., Pullet l. ; 
shot across stage from l. 

Pul. (calling). Wake up, Yank; reckon yer sleep late. 

Pick, (firing hack). Wake up yourself, and see how you like it. 
Guess you'll find you've waked up the wrong passenger. 

Pul. Reckon I hev; but yer needn't git mad over a little fun. 

Pick. I'll spile your fun, if that's the way you go to work for it, 
you cantankerous reb. 

Pul. It's you that's cantankerous. We want's to be social like. 
What's the news ? 

Pick. The Dutch have taken Holland. 

Pul. Holland ain't bad to take ef you gits straight. When you 
goin' to take Richmond? 

Pick. We don't want Richmond ; it ain't healthy. 



Col. 


V. 


Maj. 
Col. 


G. 
V. 


Maj. 
Col. 


G. 

V. 


Maj. 
Col. 


G. 
V. 


3Iaj. G. 
and march. 



12 

PuL How's Bull Run for health ? 

Pick. That aint so salubrious as Vicksburg. 

Pul. What do you say to Fredericksburg ? 

Pick. I say, Gettysburg. 

Pul. Look hej'ar, Yank, what did yer eat for supper, makes yer 
remarks so peert-like? 

Pick. Cant remember so long ; but I can tell yer what we had for 
breakfast. 

Pul. What did yer ? 

Pick. Soft bread and taters, coffee and sugar. 

Pul. Coffee ! Got any backy ? 

Pick. Genuine fine-cut. 

Pul. Coffee and backy ! 'Pears like you has all the luxuries ; we 
has nothin' but substantials. 

Pick. Got any whiskey ? 

Pul. Plenty ! How'll yer trade ? 

Pick. Give you all the coffee and tobacker we've got for a pint of 
whiskey. 

Pul. Done ! Meet yer half way, and no firing. 

Pick. 'Gr-ed ; but cant stop to talk; it's agin orders. 

Pul. Sameheyar; come ahead. 

Enter Pullet l. with bottle; Pickle r. with package. They exchange 
and retire, Pickle tasting and smelling liquor. 

Pul. (from wing). Look heyar, Yank, there aint backy 'nough 
heyar for a decent chaw. 

Pick. I told you 'twas ^?ie-cz<zf. 

Pul. You're mfine cut-throat ; there aint coffee 'nough for one cup. 

Pick. Did just's we 'greed, gave you all we had. 

Pul. Wa'll now, I 'low that's a mean Yankee trick. 

Pick. Just's we 'greed ; "good-by." 

Pul. {firing). " Good-by," be blowed. 

Shots exchanged and change to 



Scene 3. A wood in 4 g. ; set tree up l,. *' Confed" flag at hack ; 
ca/mp stool l. " Confeds grouped r. and c. Gkeyback and Cul- 
pepper front. All sing — 

We are a band of brothers, and native to the soil, 

Fighting for the property we gained by honest toil; 

And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose, near and far : 

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag, that bears a Single Star •! 

CHORUS. 

Hurrah ! hurrah for Southern rights ! hurrah ! 

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag, that bears a Single Star ! 

As long as the Union was faithful to her trust, 

Like friends and like brothers, kind were we and just; 

But now, when Northern treachery attempts our rights to mar, 

We hoist, on high, the Bonnie Blue Flag, that bears a Single Star. 

Chorus : Hurrah ! &c. 
Grey. I say, Corp., what's we 'uns haltin' heyar fur? 
Corp. Reckon it's fur Major Gilmore to come in. 
Grey. Where's he raidin' at now ? 

Corp. Yankeedom, of course, gobbling up the " blue birds." 
Grey. He's an "old gobbler," he is, but they'll wring his neck 
some fine morning, "you bet." 

Corp. Nary a wring. He never goes for game till it's a dead- sure 
thing. 



13 

Enter George, l. 2 e. 

Grey. Hallo, boys, here comes Horace Greeley. 
Geo. Look-a-yer, Massa Capn., whose yer callin' Horace Greeley? 
Gr*"y. You, chalkey; you're a Yank, a regular " Down-easter." 
Geo. Now, look-a-yer, Massa Capn. don't flung none ob youh 
nastursharas on dis chile. I'se no Greeley nigger, 'deed I isn't. 
Grey. What kind of a nigger is you 'uns ? 
Geo. Oh, I'se de ginuwine corn-fed nigger, 'deed I is ; dyed in de 



wool. 



Enter Col. DeForrkst ajid sits, l. 2 



Grey. What's yer name ? 

Geo. Dey calls me Fairfax ; 'specks my name's Calhoun Fairfax. 

Grey. Descendant of Lord Fairfax? 

Geo. 'Specks I is. Massa Capn. : we 'uns 'longs to de fus' fami- 
lies ; none of youh pooh white trash ; ouh descendants comed ober wid 
de Mayflower. 

Grey. That's the ship that brought the Yankee blue-noses. 

Geo. Wal', 'specks I don't 'member very extinctly 'bout de voyage ; 
but I know dat we 'uns longs to de shovelry 'cos we done trace de 
" powdergreen " ob de family clean back to Massa John Smith and 
Capn. Pocahontas. 

Grey. See heyar, nig, where did you 'uns grow at ? 

Geo. 'Specks I growed up yar on de sacred soil. 

Grey. Up where ? 

Geo. Why, up at de " forks " in old Fairfax County. 

Grey. Why didn't yer stay there ? 

Gfo. Why, yer see, Massa Capn., dah want nuffin left foh dis chile 
up dah; de Yanks, dey's clean done busted ebery ting up dah, and dey 
say deys a gwine to done bust de " conferacy" too; but dey talks dat 
way foh de last free, fouh yeah ; but dey don't do it, dough ; no, dey 
don't do it ; 'specks Massa Robert's too many foh 'em, and when Massa 
Stonewall gits on dey flank, don't dey done take up deyr shinbones 
mighty libely, ha, ha, ha. 

Grey. Any Yanks up there now ? 

Geo. Eeckon dah is, right smart o' Yanks ; dough heaps ob'em hab 
move off by de lef flank wid a general what dey calls Grant. 

Grey. So you 'uns moves off by the right flank? 

Geo. Why, yer see, Massa Capn., I jest done tole yer dat ebery ting 
was played out up dah, so I come to 'lusion to vibrate whah dey gibs 
more work for de wages. 

Grey. If you 'un wants work, why don't you join the army? 

Geo. 0, Lord, Golly ! Massa Capn., fightin' am not my perfeshun. 

Grey. What am your perfeshun? 

Geo. Cookin' sah, dat am my perfeshun ; 'specks I don't like dis 
yer figtin' business. 

Grey. But yer ought to fight for your country, the South. 

Geo. O Lord, Golly! Massa Capn., what good am de Souf, or any 
oder country gwine to do me, when I'se clean done gone dead? 
" Stick de cook in his shanty." Dat's 'losophy. 'Specks I'se got a long 
way to tote dis yer plunder, so I reckon I's gwine to done bid yer good 
day gemmans. \_Goes r. 

DeF. (l.) Wait a bit, Fairfax; you say cooking is your profession? 

Geo. (turning^. 'Deed it is, Massa Genl. 

DeF. What can you cook ? 

Geo. 'Specks I done cooks most any thing, from de corn-dodger 
to de kangaroo soup. And what I done cooks, I cooks done. 



u 

DeF. We haven't got to kangaroo yet ; but I can't allow niggers to 
run loose when I want a boy ; so come this way, and I'll show you 
what to do. \^Exit DeF. l. 2 e- 

Geo. (following^. Wa'l now, dat's kind o' rough on de ole raan, 
but specks dah's no help for it; so I'se gwine to stay and " cook youh 
goose." \_Exit Geo. l. 2 e. 

Enter Maj. Gii.mok-e, followed by Col. Vining and his sentinel, under 
rebel guard, r. 2 e. Vining's colors are stowed at back. Col. and 
sentinel stand c. front, guard at back, and 3Iaj. G. l. 

Omnes. Fresh fish ! fresh fish ! fresh fish ! 

Re-enter Col. DeForkest l 2 e. 

DeF. What's the noise? Oh it's you, Major? What success? 

Maj. G. Took the Colonel and his sentinel. 

DeF. Good! Remove the sentinel. 
[Sentinel is taken up by one of the guard, stripped of hat, blouse and 

shoes, and taken off, ]^. u. e. 

DeF. So, Col. Vining, you surrendered to Major Gilmore? 

Col. V. I am here at the hands of that wretch, who, when he was 
playing spy, and eating my bread, called himself Capt. Darrell of the 
regular army. 

DeF. (sitting l.) I see ; you are a victim of misplaced confidence ; 
but all's fair in love and war ; orders strict and time precious. Colonel 
John Vining, you are charged with recruiting negro slaves for the 
federal service within confederate lines. What say you to this charge ; 
guilty or not guilty ! 

Col. V. I deny your right to investigate so grave an accusation. 

DeF. It is idle, Colonel, to talk of rights. What say you ; guilty 
or not gniltv? 

Col. V. 1 decline to answer. 

DeF. Silence shows guilt ! but I have here indubitable proof. Did 
you ever see that paper? ^Exhibits paper. 

Col. V. (starting). The post therein named is not within confede- 
rate lines. 

DeF. But was at the date of your order. {^Putting paper in 
pocket.'] Colonel John Vining, you are found guilty, and sentenced to 
be shot forthwith. 

Col. V. Your trial is a mockery ; this is no court-martial. I appeal 
to your authorities at Richmond. 

DeF. From Richmond came my orders. 

Col. V. To murder me? Then let your Avork be done. 

DeF. Corporal, a rope ! Major, see the prisoner bound to that tree. 
^Pointing up l.] Sergeant, put your men in line, and detail a firing 
party. [These orders are being executed. 

Enter George l. 2 e. 

Geo. I, Golly, Massa Genl, dat soup is bilin' lubly ; de fluvium am 
most odoriferous. 

DeF. (r.) Don't let it burn. 

Geo. (l.) 'Deed I wont, Massa Genl; but I was jest castin' round 
for de pepper caster. 

DeF. We've cast that aside. 

Geo. Golly ! dat's a sidewinder ; foh I've found de salt celler, and 
dat's a " sell," likewise de cellery ; so what am I gwine to do foh de 
seasoning ? 



15 

DeF. You're strong enough for seasoning. 

Geo. 'Souse me, Massa Genl, but ain't youh remarks onseasonahly 
''fresh"? 

DeF. Yours is ; so clear out, and tend to your pots and kettles. 

Geo. {going l.) No defence intended, Massa Genl, no defence in- 
tended; but if I can't find de salt nor de pepper, I reckon dat soup's 
all done gone to pot, 'less I savor it wid a little " caper-sauce." 

lExit Geo. L. 2 e. 

DeF. Bandage his eyes, corporal. 

Col. V. Spare trouble ; I prefer to die with my eyes to the light of 
heaven. 

DeF. As you will. Is the firing party ready, Sergt. ? 

Sergt. S. {saluting^. Ready, Colonel. * 

DeF. Let the execution proceed. 

Sergt. S. Attention, firing party, ready, aim. [They obey. 

Enter George l. 3 e. and stands front of Col. V. 

Geo. De Yanks ! De Yanks ! Oh Lord Golly, Massa Genl, dah's 
raore'n 4,444,000 Yanks crossin' de run down yonder, and dey's a 
gwine for de bosses, shoo I 

DeF. Get out of the way, you black rascal, or you'll get shot. ' 

Geo. Dat's so, Massa Genl. ; we'll all git shot, if we don't git up and 
git, foh de Yanks am a comin' cavoorting mighty '•'■fresh.''' 

DeF. Recover, arms, and follow me every man ; you take care of 
the prisoner, Fairfax, while we clean out the Yankees. Come on. 

[Eebs all rush off l. 2 and 3 e. 

Geo. Oh, I'll done took good care ob de prisoner; jus' you lufF me 
alone foh dat. I'll circumambulate his beat. 

[Soon as Rebs are off Geo. cuts Col. V.'s cords, and comes c] 

Geo. I've put them on the wrong scent. Colonel. 

Col. V. Winthrop ! How came you here ? 

Geo. Explanations another time ; keep to the woods till night, and 
then find your way back to camp. 

Col. V, {crossing u.) But you ? 

Geo. Will stay here and amuse the enemy till you are out of 
danger. 

Col. V. I cannot consent. 

Geo. Go ! 

Picture. Col. V. moves r. and closed in by 



ScE^E 4. — A brook on ''run" in 1 g. Enter Corp. Culpepper, Grey- 
back, and 3 or 4: privates, l. 1 e. 

Grey. What's the order, Corp? 

Corp. Stay hyar, and hunt " blue coats " till our men have time to 
fix the prisoner. 

Grey. But where do you s'pose the Yanks went at? 

Corp. Dunno ; smelt us p'r'aps, and took the bush. 

Grey. Reckon that nigger wan't lyin, was he ? 

Corp. Hope not, for I'd like to carve up a few of 'em. 

Grey. 'Bout how many d'yer hanker fur, Corp. ? 

Corp. O, I could be happy with a " ten-strike." 

Grey. A " ten-strike " ! Ef I couldn't knowck a string of 'em off 
their pins, I should hope they'd string me up by the heels. 

Corp. They might do better and string you up by the neck. 



16 

Grey. Oh, come now, that's yer standing joke. 

Corp. No, that's my hanging joke. 

Grey. Hang such jokes. But I say if we 'uns could only smoke 
'em and bring in the whole forty, wouldn't there be glory ? 

Corp. Eeckon there would; but wouldn't they be more likely to 
bring in us ? 

Grey. Capture we'uns ? Never ! Aint we good for a regiment 'o 
Yanks ? 

Corp. In course ; but they never fights less'n a hundred to one. Ef 
a brigade of 'em picked up our squad they'd crow about a big victory. 

Grey. But I reckon we'uns would make it hot for 'em awhile. 
{Starting l.) "What's that noise ? 

Corp. I heerd nothin' ; yer aint afraid ? 

Grey. 'Fraid? No; reckon not, when I kin see the rascals; but 
when they're skulkin' round the bush, yer don't know who yer fightin. 

Corp. You're a coward, Greyback. Where was that dreadful noise? 

Grey, (^pointing r. 1 i:.) Eeckon 'twas in the bush yonder. 

Corp. I say you're a coward; there's nothin' there. {Starting 
hack.) Only there is tho' ; I seen it stir. 

l^All retreat l., each trying to get behind the other, trembling and 

shaking. ~\ 

Grey. You're no coward. Cop; you aint afraid? 

Corp. (repeating business). Not a bit; only if we brings in the 
whole party, I want to give yer a fair shake in the glory. 

Grey. And that's what makes you so " shaky." But, I say, what 
did it look like ? 

Corp. Looked like a Yank, " drawing a bead." 

Grey, {repeating business). Why don't yer challenge, Corp. ? 

Corp. And give yer chance at him? I will. Halt! Who goes 
there? \^Pause o.fter each challenge. 

Grey. It's a Yank, fast enough, and he's a layin' for we 'uns ; chal- 
lenge agin. 

Corp. Halt ! Who goes there ? Answer, or we fires. 

Grey. You fire, Corp. ; you know just where he is. 

Corp. {resting an unsteady gun on Grey's shoidder). All right; 
steady now, while I rest on your shoulder. Once more, who goes 
there? {Pause and no answer.) 

Grey. Let it rip, Corp. {He fires ; arise r. 1 e.) You fixed him; 
see the bushes shake. But I smoked him ; I'll have his coat. 

Corp. I'll have his shoes. 

Grey. I'll have his hat. 

Co7p. I'll have his trowsers. 

Grey. He's dead ; every thing's still ; let's pull him out. 

\_AU go cautiously r. ; Corp. and Greyback into wing. 

Corp. {in wing). Here he is — I've got him. Come out yer, yer 
infernal Yank, or I'll yank yer out. Yer a nice fellow ; don't yer wish 
yer hadn't enlisted. 
[^All rush back c, Corp. dragging a 'pig ; they look at pig and each 

other. 

Grey. Yer's glory, Corp., in two shakes of a pig's tail; reckon 
they've settled the prisoner's hash ; let's git. 

\_Exeunt ornnes l. 1 e., a)id dragging pig, and change to 

Scene 5. — Same as 2>d, only rebel colors removed. Discovered. Maj. 
GiLMORE R., DeForrest c, and Sergt. Shabrock l. 3Ien at back. 

DeF. {impatiently). Curses on that rascal! Raise a false alarm, 



17 

liberate the prisoner, and steal our colors. I'll hang him at sight. But 
" first catch you're hare," or rather your nigger. Which way woukl 
they go? Keep to the woods of course, unless they were mounted. 
Sergeant, see if any of the horses are missing. 

[Exit Sergt. S. and 3 or 4 men, l. 2 e., saluting. 

Major, take a squad of men, and see if you discover fresh tracks up 
or down the road, yonder. 

Maj. (saluting). All right, Colonel. 

[Exeunt 3Iaj. Gil. and 3 or 4 mew, r. 3 e. 

BeE. (looking r. 2 e.) There comes a man from below. Halt ! 
stranger, you are wanted. 

Geo. (outside). Is it myself, ye're spakin' to? 

BeF. Yes ; 1 want to talk with you. 

Geo. Wait a bit, and I'll come over to ye's. 

DeE. Lively, there, lively ; I'm in a hurry. 



Enter George r. 2 e. 

Geo. Well, the besht thing ye can do is to get over it. 

j)eE. I didn't ask any advice. 

Geo. I beg yer pardon, sir, I beg yer pardon ; but what did ye call 
me for, if ye didn't want any advice ? 

BeE. You'll learn presently. Where did you come from? 

Geo. Skibbereen, County Cork. I wouldn't deny it, sir; the foinest 
country in the world for poor people, barrin they've nothing to ate ; but 
the Avhiskey is illigant, and foightin jonteel. Oh, sir, if iver ye see two 
Irishmen enjoyin themselves together, and they don't foight, ye may be 
sure one of them is not an Irishman at all. 

EeE. I mean, where did you come from, just now? 

Geo. Where did I come from, just noo? Oh! I come from the 
road, yonder, and I'd be callin it "Jordan," for it's a nioighty hard 
road to travel. I niver saw the loikes for mud, barrin' it was on the 
" Big Muddy," and that's nothiu' to the " Great Pedee." 

BeE. "Dam" the Great Pedee. Did you met a man coming up 
the road? 

Geo. No, sir, I did not sir. I was comin' up the road myself. 

BeE. None of you're blarney. Just answer my questions. 

Geo. I big yer pardon, sir, but how can I answer yer questions till 
ye ax 'em ? 

BeE. Well, did you meet a man going down the road? 

Geo. Faith I did — faith I did. 

BeE. A northern or a southern man^ should you think? 

Geo. 1 should think he was — a southern man. 

BeE. What makes you think so ? 

Geo. His looks. 

BeE. How did he look ? 

Geo. Moighty black in the face. 

BeE. A nigger? 

Geo. 1 didn't say that; but he was tho'. 

BeE. How was he dressed? 

Geo. I didn't moind exactly; but he had clothes, I suppose. 

BeE. Did he seem in a hurry ? 

Geo. He did, sir, in a great hurry (aside) for his freedom. 

Be F. How long ago was this ? 

Geo. Yesterday afternoon, sir. 

BeE. Oh, the devil ! 
3 



18 

Geo. (they sif). "Well, it moight have been; I'm not acquainted 
with your uncle. 

DeF. {suspiciously^. Do you knoAv what we do with spies ? 

Geo. 'Eaith I don't — 'faith I don't. 

DeF. We hang 'em. 

Geo. Ha, ha. You do be saving powdher, I suppose. 

DeF. And killing vermin. Was you ever in the service ? 

Geo. 'Eaith I was, and a moighty hard service too. 

DeF. In what command ? 

Geo. Oh, sir, I wasn't in command at all. Oh, no sir; I was in the 
service of the railroad, the Richmond and Petersburg, and a roight 
smart road it is for going slow. 

DeF. I mean, was you ever a military man ? 

Geo. No, sir, I was always an Irishman. 

DeF. (impatiently). Well, which side are you for in this war? 

Geo. For the side that wins ; that's the South, of coorse ; they've 
been drinkin' and foightin' now this four or three years, and I never 
heard them say they losht a mon or a bottle. 

DeF. We've just lost a valuable man, a Colonel. 

Geo. That's bad, sir, that's bad ; did he die aisey ? 

DeF. He didn't die ; he escaped. 

Geo. Did he escape aisey? 

DeF. He did, provokingly easy. 

Geo. How did he escape? 

DeF. An old nigger got him loose. 

Geo. That's better any how than if he got him tight. Did he coom 
back yit? 

DeF. " Come back "? no ; are you a fool? 

Geo. Well, I'm not very far from one, I suppose. 

DeF. (savagely). What do you mean, sir? 

Geo. Oh, nothing, nothing, nothing, at all, nothing in the world, 
sir ; only if I might ax ye, which way did he go ? 

DeF. That's what I've been trying to find out. 

Geo. (rising and going r.) Why didn't ye say so befoor? I'm the 
very man for ye's. I'll find the Colonel and the naygur, too. 

DeF. (rising). No, you won't, for I've found the nigger. 

Geo. Where is he, sir? 

DeF. There he is ; there's black on your neck, and those are the 
nigger's pantaloons. \_To men at hack.'] Seize this man; he's a spy. 
[^Pullet et omnes coming forward and seizing him. 

A spy ! let him stretch hemp. 

Enter Sergt. Shabrock and men, l. 2 e. 

DeF. Yes, let him stretch hemp ; Sergeant, tie a noose in that rope 
and tlirow it ov^er a limb. Take him up there boys, and put it around 
his neck; he won't escape this time. \_Men execute orders. 

Geo. Hands off, ye dirty blackguards. Ye'll ruin me character; 
Gineral, wad ye blast a man's prospects for life after all the informa- 
tion I've given ye's ? 

DeF. I told you we hung spies. 

Geo. Widout judge or jury ? 

DeF. Why judge or jury ? Aint you guilty ? 

Geo. How do I know, till I hear the ividince ? 

DeF. You'll hear that in the next world. 

Geo. They'll want no ividince in your case, any how ; but if ye 
think I'm a sphy, why don't ye give me the rope and let me commit 
suicide ? 



19 

DeF. "We don't do business that way. 

Geo. Ye are not polite, that's ividint. If there's any gintleman 
present, he'll oblige me by moving the rope a bit ; put it around my 
waist, here — under my arms, if ye plaze, for I'm very ticklish about 
the throat. 

DeF. A drop of whiskey might do you good. 

Geo. Do ye think I'd drink whiskey ? No, sir, I'm a toteetaler, 
I'm a toteetaler. I'd not be poorin' shperits down to kape my shperits 
oop ; it might injure my hilth. 

Enter Maj. Gilmoke and party, r 3 e. 

Maj. G. ^coming forward and saluting']. "We've looked carefully 
and find nothing. Colonel ; who graces the rope ? \_Pointing at 
George.] 

DeF. The nigger ; he sloughed his color and walked straight back 
into the trap. 

Major G. {surveying Geo.) Why, I've seen that man at the North ; 
his name's Winthrop ; he's a spy. 

DeF. So, sir, you are recognized ; now what have you to say for 
yourself? 

Geo. For myself, nothing ; to you and your followers I say, repent 
and return to your allegiance. 

DeF. A spy preaching repentance ! You are a fine specimen of 
Yankee meanness and malice. 

Geo. I bear you no malice ; I simply pity you. 

DeF. Then why are you here ? 

Geo. Because I love my country, and hate treason. 

DeF. Bosh ! Is the party at the rope ready ? 

Sergt. S. Heady, Colonel. 

DeF. "When I give the word let him swing. Hold ! by the rules of 
war you ought to die ; but the man who has escaped is the culprit we 
want ; bring him back, and your life is spared. 

Geo. Betray a comrade? never! 

DeF. Consider, you would save your life. 

Geo. And endanger a whole command. 

DeF. So, rather than restore our prisoner you prefer an ignominious 
death ? 

Geo. To live on such conditions would alone be ignominious. You 
cannot harm me. I am in the keeping of my Creator. 

DeF. And will shortly be in his presence. Have you no regrets ? 

Geo. None, save that I have but one life to lay down for my 
country. 

DeF. You refuse my offer? 

Geo. Utterly ! 

DeF. When I count three run him up. One — two — 

{^Shots outside r. 3Ien at rope fall. 

Surprised ! Fire on the prisoner ! 
[They fire. Geo. falls. Another volley r. outside; rehs fall down ^. 

He's dead ! To horse, and save yourselves. 

\_All rush off L. 2 and 3 e. 

Enter Col. Vining and men, r. 2 and 3 e. 

Col. V. They have fled, but left our comrade ; raise him up. 

[Tivo men step forward and raise him ; men stand around at bach and 
sides, 'forming a tableau, and 

DROP. 



20 



ACT III. 



Scene 1. — A wood in 3 or 4 g. Old log up e. Greyback a7id Pul- 
let astride log, playing cards. Sergt. Shabrock r. c. with mus- 
Ji-et. 



All sing at rise of curtain. 



I wish I was in de land of cotton, 

'Cinamon seed an' sandy bottom, 
Chorus. — Look away — look 'way— away — Dixie's Land. " 

In Dixie's Land whar I was born in, 

Early on one frosty morning. 
Chorus. — Look away— look 'way— awaj--— Dixie's Land. 
Chorics.—Ben I wisli I was in Dixie, 
Hooray I Hooray ! 

In Dixie's Land — we'll took our stand, 
To lib and die in Dixie. (Repeat ) 

Away— away— away down Soutli in Dixie. 

Sergt. S. Doggone me, ef it aint enough to provoke a saint. 

Grey. What is it, Serge? 

Sergt. S. Why, to see them doggoned Yanks gnawing their prog, 
and we starvin. 

Grey. Pullet and me got a sna,ck this morning at the farm house, 
younder. \^Pointing l. u. e. 

Sergt. S. Why didn't yer bring me something? 

Grey. We did ; brought you an invitation to dinner. 

Sergt. S. Then why didn't yer give it me ? 

Grey. 'Cos we kneAv yer wouldn't leave duty for grub. 

Sergt. S. Doggone it, no ! But I'll step over and see if the Yanks 
troubles the good people; pass no suspicious characters. 

Grey. All right, Serge. [Exit Sergeant S. l. it. e. 

Ougim't to pass you, I reckon. I say. Pullet, he's a monstrous 
eater, he is ; ef I didn't know he was a Sergeant, I should say he was 
a hog. [Shuffling cards. 

Let's have another game of '* draw." 

[Laying down cards and seizing musket. 

There comes a man down the road. 

Enter George r. u. e. 

Halt ! Who goes there ? 

Geo. A friend midout some gountersigns. 

Grey. Advance, friend. 

[Geo. passes off l. u. e. Greyhack fires, and Geo. returns. 

Geo. Say, hold on once, waid a liddie, Herr General ; ton't shtob 
me mit some pullet palls. 

Grey, {pointing musket). Come back yer. 

Geo. (advancing). Say, hold on once, waid a liddie, Herr General; 
ton't shoot me mit your payonets. 

Grey, {savagely). Where was you 'uns goin' at? 

Geo. Say, hold once, pud down dat bix, Herr General, and I toles 
you all apoud it, right away. 

Grey, {lowering piece). Fire away, then. 

Geo. Say, where away was dat fire ? 

Grey. Nowhere ; tell your story. 

Geo. Veil, you see, Herr General, you says, "Halt! who goes 
there?"' Und I says, "A friend, midout some gountersignsi" Den 



21 

you says, "Advance, friend," und I tink dat means " go ahet," sol 
vas go about my pisiness ahet ; now I toles you all apoud it. 

Grey. Why didn't you speak? 

Geo. Ya, dat's so ! Ven I comes along and sees zwei pold solida- 
tin, down sittin on their feet up, mit a locg peside, I says to mineself, 
dat were zwei generals, day was dake gounsels mit demselfs alone ; 
oaf I speaks dem, I was spoil some crate gompinations, und got mine- 
self aggravations into ; so I goes py midout saying some dings ! Now 
I tole you all apoud it, Plerr General. 

Grey, {all sit on log). We 'uns ain't generals. 

Geo. You ton't was generals ? Pots-tousand ! Ish dat so ? Oxcuse 
me, oaf you please. So help me gracious, I dinked you was generals ! 
I moost make dat 'shtake on general hrincihles. You ton't was boome- 
rangs or gorilla-whack-bushers ? 

Grey. No, sir, we'uns is in the Confederate army, " high privates." 

Geo. Himmel pots-poompen-Herr-Gott! ishcZa^ so? You ton't was 
generals? You was " liigh brifates." Say, how high was dat? Say, 
how you git so high? Ish dat brifate? 

Grey. That's private till we know who you are. 

Geo. Me? Oh, I was Schnitzerl; I was one of dem " plockade " 
fellows. 

Grey. One of them block-head fellows ? 

Geo. Ya, dat's so. I was one of them plockade fellows. 

Grey. I should say you was a block-headed fool. 

Geo. Say, hold on once; " yoa nix fershta." I ton't say "block- 
head," I say plockade. 

Grey. That makes two block-heads. 

Geo. Oh, nein, nein. 

Grey. Nine block-heads? 

Geo. Say, hold on once; waid a liddle, my friend; ton't you got 
that Prittish Lioness matoop his pack once, for oaf yo do he'll put a heat 
of himself right away. I was one of dem fellows as roons der plock- 
ade. I was an Unglifsh nooderl ! I was an English nooderl ! ! 

Grey. What's an English noodle ? 

Geo. You ton't know what was an English nooderl? You was some 
shack pudding mules ! He was der Prittish merchant what sells goons 
und ships und oder dings to der Confederacy on der shly, und den he 
tells to Ooncle Samuel dat he was " all ride," coot ghristian, sount 
oopon der goose, and never do some dings midout der law of nations. 

Geo. That means money, I reckon. 

Geo. Oh, nein. We ton't reckon no monish. We ton't was " noo- 
derls " for gelt. We was " nooderls " cos we lofe der Confederacy, 
und for der high moral brinciples. 

Grey. Well, what are you doin round hyar? 

Geo. I goes me to New York, und dere I sails for anoder cargoes. 

Grey, {aside to Pulltf). I say, Pullet, this Dutchman's got money, 
we'll go through him. [ Whispers : Pullet nods.'] See here, Dutchy, 
got a pass through the lines ? 

Geo. Ya, dat's so, I got to bass through der lines. 

Grey. Let me see yer pass. 

Geo. Mit dem gresten fernugen, goot tay. 

Grey. Come back yer ! Where yer goin ? 

Geo. I was goin' to led you see me bass. 

Grey, {savagely). Come back yer. 

Geo. Say, hold on once ; donner und blitzen ! ton't pite my face off 
my nose. 

Grey. Yer can't go without a writin' from head quarters. 



22 

Geo. {going r.) Ish dat so? Den I goes me right away pack und 
makes dat liddle writing all ride. 

Grey, (raising musket). No yer don't; ye'll have to wait for the 
sergeant. 

Geo. Say, hold on once. I ton't was peen a waider ! Where is dat 
Sir, Gent? 

Grey. He'll be here soon ; set down. 

Geo. Ish dat so? Say, look off dat squirrels, Herr General, flying 
oop der drees amongst. I shoots him mit yer bix. 

Grey, {suspiciously). Can't see it, Dutchy ! Set down — set down! 

Geo. {sitting c. of log). Veil, I to set town und der locg was town, 
but it ton't was towny. 

Grey, (with cards). Do you ever play poker? 

Geo. Ish dat your *' small game "? I peds you a drick of " sefen 
oud " ; dat I peads you " zwei lager." 

Grey. Not for beer, for money. 

Geo. Ah, dat was pad brinciples ; besides I ton't was got no monish. 
[ Grey, and Pul. rise and point muskets. 

Grey. Yes, yer have, and we're yer bankers ; so shell out. 

Geo. Say, hold on once ; waid a liddle, Herr General ; ton't speel 
so loose mit your payonet-guns ; say hold on once, I ton't got no 
schells. 

Grey, (menacingly). Eorkover! 

Geo. Say, waid a liddle; I ton't was got no " forks " noder. 

Grey, {savagely). Hand over yer money. 

Geo. Say, hold on once, und I shows you all apoud it right away, 
joosht now. I ton't was got some monish, not a pennies. 

Grey. Hid somcAv^here ; take off your coat. 

Geo. Say, waid a liddle. Potz-blitz ! was you some conferted 
"Chews"? 

Grey. Take off your coat. 

Geo. Say, hold on once ; Avas you in dat " ole clo " pisiness ? 

Grey, {raising musket). Off Avitli your coat, or you'll " wrastle 
your hash in the Devil's back kitchen." 

Geo. Dat must been some blace too numerous to mention. 

Grey, (cocking piece). Shan't tell you again to take off your coat. 

Geo. Vel, I do dake off mf coat ; so you needn't make of yourself 
a goat. 

Grey. Lay it down there ; lay it down, or I'll blow yer brains out. 

Geo. Say, ton't get a camel of your pack oop apoud it, for oaf you 
plow my prains oud, and I find it oud, I'll make you proofe it. 
\^Bus ; they search coat; one drops gun; Geo. seizes it and shoots 

Pullet, who falls above log ; Greyhack seizes gun, fires, misses Geo., 

and comes for him with bayonet ; George parries. 

Geo. Say, hold on once, waid a liddle, Mr. *' Brifate Hi," and I 
shows you was nodings but a " low jack" and I wins de game. 

\_Bus. 

Geo. Thus ever to traitors ! \_ricture and closed in by 



Scene 2. Edge of wood in 1 g. Enter Sergt. Martinet and Pickle, 
with squad of S or 4: men, l. 1 e. a7id group c. 

Pick. But how did he escape hanging? 

Sergt. 31. Why, a party of us sent in search of the Colonel, fell in 
with Mm just in time to return and save Winthrop. 



23 

Pick. And he's in the hospital yet? 

Sergt. M. No ; as soon as his wounds healed he was off on a new 
scout. 

Piclc. He's one of the " clear grits." What's that noise? 
Sergt. M. {looking l.) There's a man! Halt! Who goes there? 
Geo. (^outside). A friend, with prisoner. 
Sergt. M. Advance, friend, with prisoner. 

Enter Gms^rBkcvL, followed by George. 

Geo. Lively, Greyback, lively. 

Pick. (l. c.) Hallo I It's Winthrop! We were just speaking of 
you, old boy. 

Geo. The " old boy " is apt to be around when you are talking 
about him. But I am heartily glad to meet you, comrades, for I wish 
to reach headquarters as soon as possible, and my friend here delays 
me. 

Sergt. M. We'll bring him in for you. 

Geo. (crossing L.) Thank you; I leave him in your charge. He's 
a rare bird, so treat him well ; but be sure he don't escape. Adieu ! 

[Exit Geo., r. 1 e. 

Sergt. 3f. All right, Winthrop, he won't escape alive. And now. 
Monsieur Greyback, we'll show you every attention : left, face, for- 
ward, MARCH. [_Greyback stands silent. 

Pick, {raising foot). Let me kick him for his mother? 

Sergt. M. Gently, Pickle, gently ; remember this is military. 

\_T hey force Greyback to wing l. 

Pick. I should say it was "mule"-tary. 

[Exeunt Omnes l. 1 e., and change to 

Scene 3. — Same as scene 1, act 2. 3fen discovered grouped c. and r. 
At opening sing. 
Omnes. — 

John Brown's knapsack is number 94. 
John Brown's knapsack is number 94. 
John Brown's knapsack is number 94. 
As he goes marching on. 

(jlory, glory, hallelujah, 

Glory, glory, hallelujah, 

Glory, glory, hallelujah, 

As he goes marching on. 

His pet-lambs will meet him on the way. 
(Repeat and chorus.) 
As he goes marching on. 

We will soon light our pipes on the Appomattox shore. 
(Repeat and chorus.) 
As we go marching on. 

Enter Adjt. Pelham from tent at back. 

Adjt. (down l.) Listen to orders! The men of this command will 
proceed forthwith to draw, each for himself, three days' rations, and 
forty rounds of ammunition, then repair to quarters, and there hold 
themselves in readiness to march at the roll of the drum. 

Omnes. Hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! [Exeunt Omnes r. 2 and 3 e. 

Enter Col. Vining from Tent. 

Adjt. The men seem enthusiastic, Colonel. 

Col. V. Because they are men and glory in the service. 



24 

Adjt. You believe in the patriotism of privates ? 

Col. V. Decidedly ; I know it is the fashion to disparage the mo- 
tives of the private, especially the private of to-day ; but I have no- 
where read of braver men or better soldiers than our own, and I 
believe them actuated by the only sufficient motive — patriotism. 

Adjt. The better for our movement. Is it to be general, think 
you? 

Col. V. No ; I iaiagine this is but an effort to extend our wing. Is 
every thing ready ? 

Adjt. {going up'). Nearly; I will attend to the remaining details at 
once. 

Col. V. Do so ; I shall be with you presently. 

[Exit Adjt. Pelham into tent. 

Meantime I seize a moment to think of those at home. 

[Sits on Camp-stool, R. 

Enter George, l. 2 e. 

Geo. {saluting.) Good evening, Colonel; do I intrude? 

Col. V. {starting up.) Winthrop! George! good evening! In- 
trude? No ; the very man I wished to see ; be seated. 

Geo. Thank you. Any thing important ? 

Col. V. Very. We move almost immediately, and attack at day- 
break. Have you been successful? 

Geo. I penetrated DeForrest's lines, and noted pretty accurately 
the number and location of his men and guns. To facilitate explana- 
tion, I have made a rough topographical chart of his position. 

[Passes paper. 

Col. V. {examining.) Capital ! capital ! A plan of the works we 
are to carry, and all the approaches ; you must have been diligent. 

Geo. I have not been idle. 

Col. V. No accident, I take it, this time ? 

Geo. None ; at the last moment, though, I had a little adventure. 

Col. V. What was that ? 

Geo. I had finished my observations, and was, as I supposed, be- 
yond all reach of the enemy, when I suddenly stumbled upon a picket 
or vidette of two men expecting to be reinforced by a sergeant, and to 
extricate myself I disabled one of the men and took the other pris- 
oner. 

Col. V. You have acquitted yourself nobly, as you have ever done, 
and I am glad of this occasion to make acknowledgment and ask for- 
giveness. 

Geo. Forgiveness? For what? 

Col. V. For the wrongs I have done you. 

Geo. Spare yourself, Colonel, and spare me, I beg, any painful 
allusions ; I cherish the memory of no wrongs. 

CoL V. 1 feel your sincerity, but we know not what to-morrow 
may bring, and I cannot miss this opportunity to do you justice. To 
begin with, I doubted your loyalty, despised your courage, and drove 
you from my mother's house. 

Geo. I know all that. 

Col. V. But not the cause. I believed that under cover of the pre- 
vious night you had destroyed my colors. 

Geo. That unfortunate affair, intended to ruin me in the eyes of 
your sister, was planned and executed by a person styling himself 
Captain Darrell. 

Col. V. And he it was who poisoned me with suspicion. But how 
came you in possession of these facts ? 



25 

Geo. I recognized the prisoner whom I took to-day as Darrell's asso- 
ciate, north ; he acknowledged it ; and finding who 1 was, confessed the 
whole plot. But the prisoner is safe. 

Col. V. I wish I could say as much of Darrell, or whatever his 
name may be. I trust to punish him yet for his perfidy ; and that you 
will henceforth hold me guiltless of having wronged you intentionally. 

Geo. I have ever held you so ; for I believed you too honorable to 
stoop to so base an action. 

Col. V. (offering hand). Thank you; and now may I ask what 
induced you to enlist in my regiment after our open difficulty ? 

Geo. I had enlisted before. 

Col. V. And did Louise know of it ? 

Geo. She did not. 

Col. V. Why did you not tell her? 

Geo. I visited her partly for that purpose ; but any explanation of 
the fact after she had rejected me, would have been to ask considera- 
tion, not for myself, or for what I had done even, but for the uniform I 
was about to don. 

Col. V. True ; but further : when I found you were in my com- 
mand, I resolved to ignore you, and consented you should go as a spy 
with a vague hope that you might never return. 

Geo. So I feared. 

Col. V. Why then did you imperil your life to save mine ? 

Geo. Because our lives belong not to ourselves, but to our country • 
and I considered your's the more valuable. 

Col. V. I had thought myself a patriot. You have proved yourslf 
a Christian. How shall I bestow your reward? 

Geo. By never again mentioning the matter. 

Col. V. But I must mention it ; you have earnt promotion, and you 
shall have it ; I put you on my staff, with the rank of lieutenant. 

Veo. O, Colonel, not that, I beg. 

Col. V. If that is not enough, I make it captain. 

Geo. You misunderstand me ; the promotion you offer is not only 
enough, but too much. I should not feel right to desert the ranks so 
suddenly. But there is something you can do. 

Col. V. Name it. 

Geo. Give the promotion you oflPer me to the man who carries the 
colors, and make me your color-sergeant. 

Col. V. The post you choose is far more dangerous. 

Geo. Is it not then far more honorable ? 

Col. V. It is, and you shall have it. 

Geo. Thank you. 

Col. V. But for this expedition, I claim your services as guide and 
special " aid de camp." You will need a sword. 

Geo. {crossing r.) The enemy has supplied me. I will see it is in 
order. 

Col. V. Stay. There is one other matter; your affair with Lou- 
ise 

Geo. It is best left as it is. . 

Col. V. She loves you ; I know it. 

Geo. Perhaps so, but I may never see her again ; and if she deems 
me unworthy, as when last we met, she will the more easily forget me. 

[JDriim rolls lightly outside. 

Col. V. {rising and goivg up hastily.) The drum rolls ; the signal 
to fall in. 

Geo. One moment and I am ready. 



2G 

[JExit Col. into tent, Geo. r. 2 e. Drum rolls louder and louder. 
Re-enter Col. V. and Geo., swords on. Head of column appears 
R. u. E. Col. V. takes command. Exeunt Omnes, l. ti. e., drums 
beating and colors flying, as they march, and closed in hy 

Scene 4. A wood or wild 2^ass in 1 g. Enter Sergt. Shabrock, 
Corp. Culpepper, and 3 or 4 privates ; group c. on the ground, 
and all cloze except Sergt. and Corp. 

Corp. I say, Serge, what yer movin' up yer for? 

Sergt. S. Doggone me, ef I don't think it's safer ; can't be tookeerful 
these days. 

Corp. These nights, yer mean ; I wish 'twas day. What time is it 
now ? \_Some of the men s?iore. 

Sergt. S. Towards mornin', I reckon, by the way the men snort. 

Corp. Let 'em snort, there's no Yanks around. 

Sergt. S. Dunno 'bout that; the poet says, " infernal vigilance is 
the price of liberty." Them as has no 'sponsibility can rest, but ef I 
sleeps it must always be like Napoleon at Waterloo, with one eye open. 

l_Sho7~t pause, all sleep. 

Enter George, r. 1 e. Beckons on squads r. and l., who approach 
sleepers at '■'^ charge bayonets." 
Geo. Surrender. 

Sergt. S. {starting'). Never! \_All start, look, and fall back. 

Geo. Squad, right; shoulder, arms! Hand over your pieces. 
Prisoners rise, and face to the right in two ranks ; squad on the right, 
about, face; on the left, shoulder, arms; all, forward, march. 

\_Exeunt Omnes, r. 1 e. 

Enter Col. Vining and command r. 1 e. 
Col. G. (l.) Halt ! The command will rest here till the flanking 
party gives the signal. . \_3Ien sink down exhausted 

Enter George r. 1 e. 
Any sign, Winthrop? 

Geo. None, Colonel. We can see better from that hillock yonder. 
Shall we go ? 

Col. V. (^nodding). Lead on. 

Geo. (crossing l.) Come ; I knoAv this ground. 

\_Exeunt Geo. and Col. V. l. 1 e. 
[ Command sings. 
Just before the battle, Mother, 

I'm thinking most of you, 
While, upon the field, we're watching, 

With tlie enemy in -view. 
Comrades brave are round me lying, 

Filled with thoughts of home and God; 
Tor, well they know that, on the morrow, 
Some will sleep beneath the sod. 
Chorus : Farewell ! Mother ; you may never 
Press me to your heart again. 
* But oh ! you'll not forget me, Mother, 

If I'm numbered with the slain I 

[Bugle heard faintly outside. 
Hark I I hear the bugles sounding; 

'Tis the signal for the fight. 
Now may God protect us. Mother, 

As He ever does the right : 
Hear the " Battle-cry of Freedom," 

How it swells upon the air I 
Oh I yes ; we'll rally round our Standard, 

Orwe'll perish nobly there 1 Chorus. 



27 

Re-enter Col. Vining, l. 1 e. 

Col. V. (suppressed force') . Attention, comrades. 

\_Ail rise and form in line, pieces at shoidder. 

The signal rocket tells us all is ready. The enemy show no suspi- 
cion of danger. Keep close together, steady, no firing till I give the 
word, and wherever you see me go, follow. Left, face. Forward, 
March. [Exeunt Omnes l. 1 e., and change to 



Scene 5. DeForresfs Head Qu'rs ; log house in flat, 4 g. ; door in 
F. L. c. practicable ; stage clear of j^rops. Pullet discovered as sen- 
tinel. 

Enter DeForrest d. in r., saluting. 

DeF. A quiet watch, sentinel? 
Pul. {saluting) . All quiet, General. 

DeF. {down G. solil.) Glorious night! The air is crisp, and the 
stars sparkle like a thousand brilliants in a field of azure. 

Enter 3Iaj. Gilmore r. 2 e. 

What, you, Major? You turn out early. 

3Iaj. G. But not so early as my General. Is it a pleasure? 

DeF. Partly; and j)artly a duty. The private follows the example 
of his general. 

Maj. G. And the general follows the example ? 

DeF. Of Lee and Jackson. I was just thinking of the latter, and 
of that deathless war-song, " Stonewall's Way," a line of which is 
true at this moment. 

" The sun's bright lances rout the mists 

Of morning " 

[.4 volley heard outside l. 
Maj. G. What's that firing? [Another volley l.] There it goes 
again. 

DeF. {crossing r.) Eun and see, Major. [Maj. G. starts up l. 

Enter two or three Rfhs, l. ti. e. 
Pul. and Omnes {shouting). The Yanks! the Yanks! They're 
stormin' the works ! 

DeF. Surprised? Perdition! Back to your posts. Follow, sen- 
tinel. [Exeunt, men and sentinel, l. 

Sound the " long roll." Lay about, Major, or we are lost! 
[Exit DeF. into house and Maj. G. R. 2 e. Firing kept up. Long 
roll heats vehemently. Be-enter DeF. and Maj. G., buckling on 
swords. Shells burst — Eebs begin to rush from l. to r. 

Omnes, (shouting). We're licked ! we're licked ! 

DeF. (flourishing sword). Halt; stand fast, we'll punish 'em. Cut 
'em to pieces ! No quarter ! I'll lead you. 
(Exeunt Omnes l. 2 and 3 es. Long roll and firing continue; rebs 

all rush on l. and off r. ; DeF. following and shouting. 

DeF. Halt, men, rally, &c. [All off, r. 

Enter Col. Vining and Union men, l. 2 and 3 e. 
Col. V. They're ours ; we've got 'em ; come on. 
[All rush off -R. shouting and firing high. Terrific volley n. Union 
men fail back to l., followed by Col. 1". and colors, well doivn l. 



28 

Col. V. Steady, men ! stand fast ! rally ! rally round the flag ! 
Union men retreat off l., colors near wing l. Rebs rush on R,, led by DeF. 
and Maj. Gil., who shoots Union color-sergeant. H^. throws up colors and 
staggers backward between the scenes, and off l. Rebs all rush off L. except 
Maj. G., who advances to pick up Union colors, just as Winthrop inter- 
poses his sword. They fence. Maj. defeated. Firing continued. Rebs rush 
on L.. and no R., where the)/ are met by a volley from the flanking party. Sur- 
render. George picks up colors as Union men appear at both sides and back. 

Omnes. Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! [^Colors wave ; picture and 



ACT IV. 

Scene 1. — Home. Open country in 3 or 4 g. Col. Vining's Qu'rs. 
R. 2 B. Camp-stools r. Regiment discovered, grouped c. Pickle, 
White and Martinet, front. 
Omnes {sing) — 

We're tenting at home on the old camp ground, 

But not as in days of yore. 
When a thousand strong we rallied around 

The flag we proudly bore. 

CHORUS. 

Many are the thoughts that cluster around 

The hrave who have gone to rest; 
They are tenting above, on that old camp-ground. 
The camp-ground of the blest. 

Tenting at home, tenting at home, 
Tenting on the old camp-ground. 

No longer in hate, on war's bloody field, 

Does brother with brother contend ; 
No musket or sabre again may they wield, 

But ever each other befriend. 

CHORUS. 

PicJc. (r.) Wa'l, Milky, how does it seem to get home again? 

Milky (c.) Kind o' queer, Pickle. Can't help thinking the Ser- 
geant's just going to shout, " fall ovit," or " roll in," or " spread up." 

Sergt. M. (l.) Impossible, sir; impossible! Your language is not 
military. 

Milky. I never could get the hang o' the lingo, and it's no use try- 
ing; but the real difficulty is I haven't got home. 

Pick. What's the reason? I'm here every time. 

Milky. But you know we ain't mustered out. 

Fick. But thankful that you aint *' peppered " out. 

Milky. And then there's the reception. 

Pick. And that reminds me I've promised to take grandmam ; she's 
bound to see the " recep." 

Sergt. M. Good for grandmam. 

Pick. But let's go round to the sutler's first, and see if we can't 
" strike ile."j 

Sergt. M. "" He " is military. Bully for " ile." 

Pick. Bully for all ! ^Exeunt Omnes l. 2 and, 3 e. singing — 

" Bully for all." 
Ent^r Col. Vinixg from tent r. 2 e. and Mr. and Mrs. Winthrop, 

L. 1 E. 

Win. (to Col. V.) Can you direct me to Col. Yining, sir? I wish 
to speak to him. 



29 

Col. V. You are speaking to him. How can I oblige you ? 

Win. By giving me some information. My name is Winthrop, 
Samuel Winthrop, and I come to inquire after my son. 

CoL V. George Winthrop ? 

Win. That's the name, sir. Have patience while I tell you a little 
about him. A strange lad, never with the other boys, but always by 
himself; and when he grew to be a man, it was just the same, forever 
wandering away alone, reading his books, and musing over them till 
we feared he was going crazy. So we started him in business, and he 
tried hard enough, Heaven knows ; but 'twas all of no use ; fate seemed 
against him. He never showed any disposition to fight, and his enlist- 
ment was the last thing we thought of. It's a painful subject, sir, but 
I couldn't help telling you, so you needn't wonder if he did not make 
a good soldier. 

Col. V. But he did make a good soldier. 

Win. Did he, sir? did he come to understand the duties? 

Col. V. No man better. 

Win. And to perform them ? 

Col. V. It was his pride. 

Win. But his courage ? 

Col. V. Was of the best. Not rash ; not willing to risk his life 
needlessly, if occasion required, he measured no peril. 

Win. You surprise me ! We thought him anything but brave. 

Col. V. So did everyone at first; but his bearing was so manly 
that soon contempt gave place to admiration. 

Win. I cannot understand this sudden change. 

Col. V. There was no change. What seemed so, Avas the result of 
his exalted nature, till then without scope or opportunity. 

Win. I was almost afraid to inquire ; but you make me happy, sir, 
I may say, proud. When, think you, will he be able to come home? 

Col. V. Come home? Is it possible you do not know ? 

Mrs. W. What? Has he come? 

Col. V. No, madam. 

3Irs. W. But is coming ? 

Col. V. I fear not. 

Mrs. W. Have mercy on us, sir; what do you mean? 

Col. V. Pardon me, if I bring heavy tidings, but I supposed you 
knew it all. 

Mrs. W. O, sir, spare us this torture. What is it? 

Col. V. Calm yourself, madam ; calm yourself, and be firm for the 
worst. I grieve to tell you, but George is dead. 

Mrs. W. {slowly, hut wildly^. Dead! dead! dead! I knew it from 
the first. I said he would never return. Oh, sir, you have robbed 
me of my son. You have murdered him. Give me back my boy ! 
Oh, give me back my boy ! [ Weeps. 

Col. V. Do not weep, madam, do not weep. Tears are unavailing, 
or I could bring him back to you. It was his last request that you 
should not lament. 

Mrs. W. Did he know he was going to die ? 

Col. V. He could not well doubt it. 

Mrs. W. O, sir, how was it? Pray tell us. 

Col. V. (placing camp stools). Be seated and I will. [They sit. 
Col. R., Win. c, and Mrs. Wi7i. l.] It was during one of our last 
engagements. A rebel battery was making havoc among our men. 
They had assaulted twice with great loss, and seemed unwilling again 
to face a sure destruction. There was a call for volunteers ; they 
hesitated. George saw it, and stepped forward. There were enough 



30 

to follow. While he marshaled his men, we concentrated our fire upon 
the offending battery. It slackened, and presently ceased firing. He 
turned to me and said, " Good-by, General, when you write, tell them 
not to lament; it was necessary." He gave the word "forward"; 
there was a rush, and the little band disappeared in a cloud of smoke. 

Mrs. W. And that was the last of him? 

Col. V. The last, alive. The rebels, suspecting our movement, 
were silent till George and his party were upon them ; then there was 
a crash of thunder ! It was too late. Our men had taken the battery, 
but were enfiladed, and could not hold it. They spiked the pieces, and 
reeled back to us a bleeding mass, without leader or colors. That was 
the turning point of the battle. 

Mrs. W. But his body ? 

Col. V. Was buried where he fell, and the spot marked by the stafi" 
from which the colors were rent in that storm of death. 

Mrs. W. And why did you not let us know? 

Col. V. I wrote, "but you seem not to have received the letter. 
Excuse me. I have something you will prize. 

[All rise, go, and face a little r. 
[Exit Col. V. into tent. 

Win. Perhaps some trophy he had won. 

3frs. W. Or a portion of his battle-hallowed harness. 

Re-enter Col. Vining with envelope. 

Col. V. (passing envelope). Let me give you his commission, which 
made him a captain without his knowledge. I had asked for it with 
the thought that when he saw it he would accept ; but it came too late, 
poor fellow. [Passes it to Win., who passes it to wife. 

Mrs. W. And this, then, is the end of our hope? Come, father. 
God has dealt heavily with us. 

Win. Yes, mother, and with many another who know not where 
their lost one died ; but we, at least, can mark his resting-place with 
marble, and plant flowers upon his tomb. 

Col. V. And you will let it be some consolation that he fell as a 
soldier should, gloriously, and for his countr}-. 

Enter George, ).. 1 e. and stands c. 

Mrs. W. A poor consolation to a mother's heart. 

Win. Adieu, sir; we thank you. Come, mother. 

[They tvm i.. and see George — a pause. 

Mrs. W. (rushing forward). Oh! My boy ! my boy ! my boy ! 

Geo. (embracing her). My mother! Oh, my mother! 

Win. (shaking hands). My son that was dead and is alive again. 
God bless you, my son. 

Geo. God bless you, my father, and you, my colonel. 

Col. V. (offering hand). Not colonel, but comrade. We have 
shared too many dangers to remember the distinctions of rank. 

Geo. But how is it that I find father and mother here f And what 
is this talk of death ? 

Mrs. W. We had heard you were sick in hospital, and came to 
inquire when to expect you home. 

Col. V. And I had just informed them you were killed in battle, 
and your body buried. 

Geo. There must have been some mistake, for you see I was not 
killed. 



31 

Mrs. W. But maimed indelibly. 

Geo. Say rather, stamped with the honor of the Eoman general 
who, when he pleaded for his brother's life, had but to extend the 
stumps of his arras and all accusers were dumb. 

3Irs. W. You soar beautifully ; but will you ever walk again ? 

Geo. If necessary, I can do so already. 

Mrs. W. Then tell us how you escaped death. 

Geo. It is a long story, mother ; suffice it for the present that I am 
here. 

Col. V. And just in time for the reception. 

Geo. Reception? Can you not excuse me ? 

Col. V. By no means ; I shall certainly expect you to " fall in." 

Geo. I shall not disobey orders. 

Col. V. Then I command you. 

Mrs. W. But he will need a captain's uniform. 

Geo. A captain's uniform ! For what ? 

Mrs. W. To correspond with your rank. The colonel here has 
just given us your commission, supposing you would never claim it. 

\^She offers it. 

Geo. If it pleases you, mother, keep it ; I am content to carry the 
colors. 

Col. V. But the old stand was lost. 

Geo. Pardon, colonel, the old stand was not lost. 

Col. V. You saved it ! How ? 

Geo. I tore it from the staff, and concealed it from the enemy. 

Col. V. Concealed? AVhere? 

Geo. {talcing it from bosom). Where I have since carried it— here. 
[Displays it on crutch. Picture, and closed in by 

Scene 2.— A road or street in 1 g. Enter Pickle and Polly, arm in 
arm, l. 1 e. 

Pick, {pulling r.) Come, hurry up, lively, "double-quick." 

Polly {holding back). Don't try to order your grandmam, yer 
young scapegrace. You're no officer. 

Pick. Yes, I am brevet corporal. 

Polly. What's "brevet"? 

Pick. You don't understand military. That's rank without pay. 
The colonel has made me " orderly." 

Polly. Shough ! I hope he'll keep you so, for I never see another 
critter so everlastin' disorderly. 

Pick. And I never see another so everlastin' slow; you beat gov- 
ernment "red-tape." 

Polly. What's that, some shoddy trimmin' ? 

Pick. Oh, no. It's a patent contrivance to keep folks waiting; 
always see plenty of it round inspection. 

Polly. l3u ye ? How do they put it round ? 

Pick. Wa'l, first, the officers get the soldiers out, with all their 
traps and togs ; pick the hottest place they can find, stand 'em up in 
rows and let 'em " sizzle " for three or four hours. 

Polly. What's that for? 

Pick. They say it's military. Then an officer comes along, and 
says something, and after a while another officer sings out, " Unsling 
knapsacks." And then another officer raps on your cartridge-box and 
punches you in the ribs. 

Polly. What's that for? 



32 

Pick. To make sure of the caps. 

Polly. Caps on your ribs ! That caps all. 

Pick. Cap-ii-al ! I raean percussin caps. 

Polly. None o' your "cussin" round here, if you please, but just 
go on with your story. 

Pick. Wa'l, then he marks his glove with your ramrod and rum- 
mages your duds promiscous till some one cries out '* sling knapsacks," 
and the boys sling 'em, and sling things generally, and then they all go 
back to camp swearing. 

Polly. Do soldiers swear? 

Pick, Sometimes they forget, and say their prayers backwards. 

Polly. That's wicked. 

Pick. I know 'tis for other folks, but soldiers can't help swearin ; 
its a "military necessity." 

Polly. Is lying a military necessity ? 

Pick. No, that's a "civil" necessity. Now, hurry up. 

[Pulling R. 

Polly (holding hack). "What's your everlastin' yank? Where you 
going, first? 

Pick. Going to head quarters. 

Polly. I don't believe there is any sich place ; I've heard o' hind 
quarters, and I've heard o' "four" quarters, but I never heard o' no 
head quarters. 

Pick. That's 'cause you aint posted on " posts." 

Polly. Sakes alive ! I could teach you the " decalogue." Bar- 
post, bed-post, " guide-post," post-horn, " post-in-a-horn," post mor- 
tem, post-age, post-oflBice, " Post of Honor," and last but not least, 
Post G. A. R. 

Pick. You forgot " post along." 

Polly. Wa'l if you're in such pesky hurry, do put ahead. 

Pick. " Put a head " on who ? 

Polly. On the road, you block-head ! 

Pick. I guess you're a block, " ahead o' my times." 

Polly, In course, or how could I be your grandmother? 

Pick. Conundrum ; I give it up. 

Polly. And I give you up. Now post ahead. 

Pick, (going r.) All right, and I'll show you " head-quarters." 

[Exeunt r. 1 e. And change to 

Scene 3. A road or street in 2 or 3 g. Arch border 1 g. inscribed 
" Welcome Home." 

Enter men, women and children in holiday attire, with branches and 
flowers, R. and l., and sing, 

When Johnny comes marching home again, 

Hurrah 1 hurrah I 
We'll give him a hearty welcome then, 
Hurrah ! hurrah ! 
The men will cheer, the boys will shout, 
Tbe ladies they will ail turn out, 

And we'll all feel gay, 
When Johnny comes marching home. 

We're ready for the Jubilee, 

Hurrah 1 hurrah I 
We'll give the hero three times three, 
Hurrah I hurrah I 
The laurel wreath is ready now 
To place upon his loyal brow ; 

And we'll all feel gay, 
When Johnny comes marching home. 



33 

Let love and friendship on that day — 

Hurrah ! hurrah ! 
Their choicest treasures then display- 
Hurrah I hurrah I 
And let each one perform some part 
To fill with joy the warrior's heart; 

And we'll all feel gay. 
When Johnny cornea marching home. 



Enter Regiment l. 3 e., colors flying, music playing "Yankee Doo- 
dle"; march through " arch" and off r. 1 e. ; citizens group below 
1 G. and change to 



Scene 4. — A landscape in 1 g. Citizens si?ig — 

And where is the band who so vauntingly swore 

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, 
A home and a country should leave us no more ? 

Their blood has washed out their foul footstep's pollution. 
No refuge can save to the master his slave, 

Or protect him from shame or the gloom of the grave; 
And the Star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave 

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

Oh I thus be it ever when freemen shall stand 
Between their loved home and war's desolation 1 

Blessed with victory and peace, may the Heaven-i'escued land 
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a natiou ! 

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, 
And this be our motto — " In God is our trust ! " 
And the Star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave 1 

[Fxeimi Omnes, r. 1 e., and change to 

Scene 5. A grand Hall in 3 or 4 g. Regiment discovered all.igned l. 
Citizens r. Louise at back c, with laurel wreath by her side. 

Lou. Brothers and brave men : A brief season since, you left our 
midst to combat the rebellion ; then our country was devastated and 
distracted, the past written in blood, and the future dark with uncer- 
tainty. Now all is changed, the struggle ended, the clouds lifted, our 
country one and united. You went Irom us as citizens and patriots ; 
you return to us as heroes and demigods. You have borne yourselves 
nobly, and in future years it will be your proud boast to say, " I, too, 
was at Petersburg and at Appomattox." And it is with joy and pride 
we bid you welcome, thrice welceme home. 

You return ; but, alas ! not all. Some have closed their careers in 
death. They live forever in a nation's gratitude ; while you, who are 
spared, will ever challenge the world's profoundest admiration and 
respect. 

During your absence in the field we were not unmindful of your 
labors. When you suffered defeat, we sat down by the willows and 
wept. When your efforts were crowned with victory, we rose up and 
rejoiced. We looked upon you then as our defenders ; we hail you 
now as our deliverers. 

It was my fortune, ere you marched, to present you a stand of 
colors, and pledge my reverence and honor to the soldier who should 
defend them most bravely. Those colors are with you, blood-stained 
and tattered, but not dishonored. I know the story of their vicissi- 
tudes, and I pronounce in favor of him who now bears them. Let iiim 
advance. \_Geo. stands on her r* 

5 



34 

Lou. (o-aising wreath). In token of your country's approbation and 
of my reverence and honor, I crown you with this laurel. 

Geo. {waving her off). Not to me, not to me alone, belongs the 
honor. My comrades here have done no less. Together have we 
striven to uphold and defend the flag; together will we share the 
honor. Let it rest upon the colors, proud emblem of our nationality ! 
in whose defence we took up arms. And if again the State shall need 
our services, we pledge our lives as freely for the future as the past; 
and so long as our etforts in the line of duty meet our friends' appro- 
val and our country's approbation, as soldiers on the stay less march of 
freedom, and comrades in " The Grand Army of the Eepublic," we 
shall feel most deeply, that " Tlie Post of Danger is the Post of 
Honor." [To which may he added 

Scene 6. Transformation Tableau. Victory, Peace avd Plenty 
blessing America and the States, while, 

Omnes {sing) 

Our fathers' God, to thee, 
Author of liberty, 

To thee we sing. 
Long may our laud be bright, 
With freedom's holy light. 
Protect us by thy might, 

Gi-reat Q-od, our king. 

CURTAIN. 



OCT 6 1331 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




